At a glance

Your chance to

At a glance

7 nights 2-star hotels All hotels are well run and offer good facilities All rooms are en suite

6 days cycling (including 3 optional rides) with luggage transfers

70% quiet roads and sealed cycle paths, 30% well surfaced tracks

Relaxed riding with no significant ascents or descents

Discover the vineyards of the Medoc and the beautiful seaside towns of Bordeaux

The Bordeaux region of France is ideal for a self-guided cycling holiday. The easy routes and relaxed pace allow plenty of time to explore the Medoc vineyards, wander the streets of the pretty seaside towns and relax on the vast sandy beaches. We begin cycling from the peaceful harbour town of Pauillac through the world famous wine growing chateaux of Margaux and Lamarque. After reaching the northern tip of the peninsula at Soulac-sur-Mer, we head south through marshland, dunes, pine forests and past the largest natural lake in France before completing the loop back to Pauillac.

Cycling profile

Daily distance in km/miles:

Day 2

37.0km/23.0miles

Day 3

58.0km/36.0miles

Day 5

54.0km/33.6miles

Day 6

32.0km/19.9miles

Day 7

34.0km/21.1miles

Number of days cycling: 6

Pace: Leisurely: 10-13km/6-8miles an hour

Terrain: Low altitude; 70% quiet roads, 30% well surfaced tracks

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Start Pauillac.

Start Pauillac.
Pauillac is the largest town and the capital of the Medoc region. Our preferred hotel is located close to the marina where many fishing boats and pleasure craft are docked. Once you have settled in you can take a stroll around the marina where the Marquis de Lafayette departed in 1777 to aid the American rebels.See more images and videos

2Day 2Ride a circular loop through the vineyards of the Medoc.

Today we ride a circular loop through the vineyards of the Medoc, home to some of the most famous wines in the world. The Medoc wine road, 'Route des Chateaux', is located between the Gironde Estuary and the Landes forest and provides magnificent views of the vine-covered surrounding area. Our aim for today is the grand Chateau Margaux, world renowned for its vintage wine. The current structure was established in the early 18th Century and is part of a 650-acre estate devoted to cultivating vines.See more images and videos

3Day 3Head north along the Gironde Estuary to Soulac-sur-Mer on the Atlantic Coast.

Heading northward we cycle as far as Saint-Vivien-de-Medoc before leaving behind the wine-producing Medoc region, enjoying delightful views of the Gironde Estuary. Up to 12km wide in places, this historical waterway is the largest estuary in Europe and acts as an open gateway to Bordeaux. Following the arrival of Henry II as King of England, it became the maritime access route of England to Aquitaine. During this period there were a number of conflicts resulting in amongst other defences, the Tour de Cordouan, the oldest lighthouse in France. We are within striking distance of the lighthouse tonight as we overnight in the lovely seaside town of Soulac-sur-Mer at the tip of the peninsula.See more images and videos

4Day 4Free day to relax on the beach or do an optional ride to Montalivet Les Bains or to Cordouan Lighthouse.

There is the option of an easier ride to Montalivet Les Bains with the opportunity to relax by the beach or swim in the ocean. Cycling through pine forests we arrive at the popular coastal resort of Montalivet where the nearby sea and freshwater lakes attract many surfers, canoeists and fishermen. You should take a stroll around the open-air market (during the summer months), world famous for both its produce and atmosphere.
If you choose to stay in Soulac-sur-Mer you could take a short ride north to the Cordouan Lighthouse and even cross the estuary to the stunning fortified town of Royan, returning by ferry (journey approx 90min) to Soulac.

5Day 5Cycle south through pine forests and beside the Atlantic to Hourtin.

We cycle south deeper into the pine forests of the previous day's ride this time passing by Vendays-Montalivet, surrounded by forests, swamps and ocean. There are plenty of chances for you to have a swim along the way and refresh yourself for the rest of the ride. By the end of the day we will reach the village of Hourtin, with its wild coast and ancient dunes.

6Day 6Circular ride to the Lac d'Hourtin-Carcans, the largest natural lake in France.

Hourtin is situated in the heart of Medoc between the forest, lake and the Atlantic Ocean. The longer ride today is a circuit of the Lac d'Hourtin-Carcans, the largest natural lake in France, extending from north to south for 18km and is part of the Great Lakes Landes. We head south to the village of Carcans, in the heart of the Landes Forest, before continuing our circuit of the lake.
Alternatively you can take a trip to the Atlantic again with a shorter circular ride to Hourtin-Plage. After a few hours on the beach return to our hotel via the north shore of the lake.See more images and videos

7Day 7Ride east, returning to Pauillac and the Gironde Estuary.

We leave the coast behind and ride east, returning to Pauillac and the Gironde Estuary. We begin cycling through the Landes Forest as far as Saint-Laurent-Medoc and then we are back in vineyard country.

Your images

Self-guided

Why not enjoy some independence, with the flexibility of a self-guided holiday? You'll benefit from our quality research and support, but you can pace your holidays as you wish.

Activity level

You are healthy, enjoy the outdoors and want a relaxing trip. No experience is required.

What's included

What's included

All breakfasts and 2 dinners

All accommodation (see below)

All luggage transfers

Route notes and maps

What's not included

Travel insurance

Local bike hire (GBP85 and child bikes GBP65 - paid on booking)

Single accommodation (compulsory supplement from GBP250)

Visas or vaccinations

Flights from London (available on request)

Supplement for single traveller from GBP300 (includes single accommodation supplement)

Accommodation details

Hotels

You will spend 7 nights in 2 star hotels. All the rooms have en suite facilities, and some have pools.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
No visa required for British passport holders.
There are no specific health risks. Holiday style

This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next.
It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Activity Level: 1
Av. daily ride: 40km (25 miles). Please note that the average distance given here is the average of the shortest routes. Alternative longer routes are detailed in the route notes.
No. of days cycling: 6 (including 3 optional rides).
Terrain and route:The suggested cycling mainly follows quiet tarmac roads and designated cycle paths through vineyards, forests and alongside the estuary and ocean. There are no significant ascents or descents. Alternative routes are available on most days.

Eating & drinking

The trip price includes 7 breakfasts and 2 dinners, which are taken in the hotels.
Breakfast: Continental style buffet breakfast.
Lunch (not included): France is a country renowned for its food and wine and this trip should give you the full flavour of Medoc. Suggestions of what to do for lunch are in the cycling route notes. Self-guided cycling lends itself perfectly to picnics, it is always a good option to pick up some local produce and then pick a spot along your route to stop and eat it.
Dinner: When taken in the hotels this will be the standard menu for those staying on a half board basis.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

The Gironde forms part of the Aquitaine region in southwest France, with Bordeaux being the main city. The area is renowned for a pleasant climate all year round and its location by the Atlantic Ocean means it soaks in the sweetness of the ocean climate and the warmth of the Gulf Stream. The temperature is mild during the winter months, with warm spring and autumn months, and pleasantly warm during the summer (not too hot)

Reviews & community

Great to do an Exodus trip and a private holiday in one! We cycled from place to place at our own speed, enjoying picnic lunches along the way.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The best part for me was cycling through the pine forests. There is a proper cycling track, away from the main roads. I found it very peaceful. It was also brilliant seeing different parts of this little area of France, you cover everything from the beach to vineyards to the forest.

I enjoyed being able to practise my French while we were away on the trip. There was plenty of chance to do this.

It was also fabulous having all our luggage transported to the next hotel before we arrived!

What did you think of your group leader?

Although this was a self-guided holiday I did need to contact the Exodus ref once, Patrick, when I had a couple of questions about our hotel on the final night. He got back to us straight away and sent through new directions so we could reach the next hotel.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Although the terrain is pretty flat I would recommend padded cycling shorts. I wouldn't have wanted to cycle without them.

The hybrid bikes were well equipped with locks, panniers, lights etc but they are also a bit heavy, so I would not recommend over-filling the panniers with things you're not likely to need during the day. I would make sure you take plenty of water and snacks with you though - sometimes you are cycling in areas with very few shops/supermarkets and it's good to know you've definitely got supplies worst case scenario. Cycling on a Sunday was interesting - next to nothing open at all. You need to take a picnic for sure on this day, supermarkets are usually open in the morning on a Sunday so you can pick up bread, cheese, ham etc.

There were a couple of times we didn't manage to follow the instructions/directions fully, but we always managed to get back on track after a few kms max.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The hotels in Soulac and Hourtin were great. The hotel in Soulac was really close to the sea and beach and the buzzing town centre. The hotel in Hourtin even had a pool, which was so refreshing after the daily cycle. The only minor thing about the hotel in Hourtin was that we had to get back on our bikes to go out for dinner/drinks as it was not in the centre (but this was only a max 2kms away, so no big deal). Our final night was amazing as we stayed in the Chateau Pomys (due mainly to a jazz festival taking place in Pauillac as all the other hotels in town were fully booked). If you could request this I'd recommend it! Amazing.

As we were a couple it was nice that Exodus accommodated our request for a double bed. The only place this wasn't available was in Pauillac. I have to say that I was a little disappointed by the hotel and town centre in Pauillac in comparison with the other places we went to. However, the other places (and the chateau on the final night) more than made up for this!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Great routes, you get to see a lot of countryside, lots of great tracks. The food at the Hotel Angleterre and the Hotel Des Pins was amazing. We also found great local shops to buy supplies for our picnics. We took the train all the way and it is to be recommended.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I loved the freedom of cycling from place to place at our own speed, and being able to stop when and where we wanted. The predominantly flat terain made for easy cycling, and we covered approx 40 miles each day.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

We cycled through pine forests and arrived at beaches of golden sand, where we splashed around in the large breaking waves, before continuing our ride.

What did you think of your group leader?

n/a

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Add a day in Bordeaux at one end of the holiday. The architecture is lovely, and the long river front is good to walk along.

Make sure you carry enough water! We had a temperature of 38 degrees on our first day and 2 litres each was not enough! (It was Sunday so no shops were open to buy more)

The bikes and panniers provided were really good.

Although we really enjoyed ourselves, we think this was a very expensive holiday, and perhaps could have organised it ourselves much cheaper.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I was a little disappointed by the flatness of the Bordeaux vineyards, so they weren't as attractive as I'd imagined. I was also surprised that although we spent several days 'cycling by the Gironde Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean', one didn't see the water much at all whilst on the bikes.

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

What if I want to take a day off cycling?

Then you will need to make your own way to the next hotel by public transport, or pay for a taxi. Please remember you will also have your bikes, which need to be safely transported as well. You can also phone the local taxi company (details in route notes) who transport your luggage, and see if they can give you a lift. Please note this may not always be possible.

How is my luggage transferred between hotels?

Usually by a local representative or a taxi company. You will need to leave your luggage at the hotel reception between 08:00hrs and 10:00hrs on days of hotel change - the route notes you receive with your final documents will confirm the exact time. It must be marked with the luggage labels (provided by Exodus or at the start hotel), CLEARLY VISIBLE, showing your name and the total number of bags that you are having transferred.

Can you always guarantee a bike to hire locally?

In country bike hire should be arranged at the time of booking, and the cost will be added to your invoice. Please note that there are a limited number of bikes available locally. We always have to match a person's height to the bike frame size, and as there are limited amounts of each size, we cannot always guarantee availability of the correct frame. Therefore it is recommended you add the local bike hire as early as possible.

Can Exodus help with my travel to the start point?

Although we do not have a 'group flight' as we would normally do on our guided trips, we will do our best to provide as much information as possible on helping you get to the start point, whether that is by train, bus, aeroplane or car. Please consult the trip notes for more details or ask a sales consultant.

Is is possible to hire a GPS device locally?

On a small amount of our self-guided trips there are wearable GPS devices for hire locally - please consult the trip notes or speak to a sales consultant for more details. If there is no device to hire, the GPX routes may be available to download on your smart phone or portable device - more information on this will be sent before you depart.

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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